The Science of Making the Best Guitar Pickup

Twisted Puppies IndieGoGo Campaign Update #4
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A peek into the scientific method of designing guitar pickups. Not the theory so much, as the iterative scientific process of build, test, and analysis in pursuit of the ultimate pickup coil.

[@ryanheard]

I've wound a 47kOhm pickup that isn't stuck in the mud. It uses an unusual bobbin to shape the magnetic field so it has massive headroom so attack is preserved despite a nearly-1kHz peak. Works great for highly distorted forms of music and, strangely, Jazz.

[@mihailmilev9909]

Is that just from the bobbin? What is it specifically?

[@JOOODYJOOODY]

no you didnt

[@U2BER2012]

Which size wire did you use? I'm guessing it was an ultra thin magnet wire; maybe 48 or thinner AWG?

[@ryanheard]

@@JOOODYJOOODY I used to work at Lace Music and using their custom bobbin and 47AWG we were able to do it.

[@ryanheard]

@@JOOODYJOOODY Currently Kristy Morash of Escuela Grind has it in the bridge of her Yamaha Revstar if you want to hear what it sounds like.

[@m.a.nelson9427]

Finally, the science at work, cutting though myths and hearsay like sunlight through fog. Bravo.

[@U2BER2012]

Have you taken any data samples from authentic fender pre cbs pickups?

[@m.a.nelson9427]

@@U2BER2012 Yes.

[@U2BER2012]

@@m.a.nelson9427 Next question: were you able to come close to duplicating the tone / frequency response of those early pickups?

[@m.a.nelson9427]

@@U2BER2012 Lots of questions. Sounds like you are building up to a gotcha. Anyway, close enough to be in the range they occupy - they are not exactly consistent.

[@U2BER2012]

@@m.a.nelson9427 Sorry about all the questions. I rewind as a hobby, though I use to do repair/ rewind work for a local guitar shop. But, lately I rewound this one strat pick up with a theory in mind, so I wound it accordingly and I was so blown away by the resulting sound. I've let friends try it out and they too are amazed. I agree, it's not easy cloning a good pickup and I don't have the equipment that you have; only my ears. Thanks for responding!

[@JasonQuackenbushonGoogle]

this is really interesting stuff. hope to hear more about your experiments

[@valueofnothing2487]

Can't we estimate the demand for changing capacitance by observing that guitarists rarely notice the effect of tone on a longer cable?

[@olenfersoi8887]

Drives me crazy when people put such emphasis on resistance, not realizing that it is mostly a proxy for the number of winds which matters most. If resistance was what mattered most, you could just put a huge resistor is the magnetic field and that would be that. But, of course, that would fail. Ultimately, it's a trade-off between tighter winds of finer wire increasing the number of winds, which increases inductance (but also capacitance)...while the increasing resistance increases voltage drop. That's like highly resonant guitars that have higher inductance...but are also microphonic even if the pickups are "wax-potted".

[@juliendemiar8034]

Keep rocking and winding Mark!

[@wesleymorris1]

I dont know much about the scientific part of winding, but ive wound over 1000 pickups or more. Ive used every kind of magnet size, shapes. Ive found for single coils that short coils give a punchier sound, tall coils seens to be more smooth, my pickups literally all sound the same, because i use the same pattern everytime. But every once in awhile i get a real special sounding pickup. Theres some magic in there i swear, use same magnets and wire, cant replicate tho. Its very odd.

[@rewtaah]

You've been winding in part of your soul. 👍

[@spectrumofcreation5679]

I have a strange question, maybe? See I have been on a quest of my own but it's not for music although could be. I would like a picture up that can pickup.every resonant. So say I bring it to a rock and it can pick up is atomic or quantum resonance. I know we filter out undesirable variables but what if those variables are useful elsewhere

[@spectrumofcreation5679]

The first purpose is to cataloge data. From element/object to objects. Isolating relation feedback. Then measuring the data differences and then maybe rendering those resanaces in a vacuumed chamber with just water and simple base matials of decided base resonant subject.

[@spectrumofcreation5679]

Kinda wonder what kind of crystalline materials could be produced through experimentation with different things under created environmental conditions.. What if we could make metal

[@spectrumofcreation5679]

Would that be creating something by controlling the atomic or quantum resonant environment. How pure could the elements be that are created? Compared to using basic electrolysis like processes

[@spectrumofcreation5679]

Would that type of data be the start of zero point energy field study.

[@bushmanjive6314]

Can you wind output transformer? Does silver or gold wire make a difference?

[@yogimarkmac]

The metal should be a good electrical conductor and non-magnetic. Copper does a pretty good job without any reason to use exotics. Transformers are a different animal when it comes to winding them. Either really expensive equipment or hand wound is the way to go.

[@bobless5517]

This is really interesting. Thanks and good luck!

[@xxx-jigsaw-xxx213]

Gotta notice the covered lens on the laptop.

[@1337mofo]

Where did you end up with the project? Looks interesting

[@MangaMusicTV]

Thanks a lot of you

[@HiluluxSon]

@Mark MacDonald, would expalin how Optical Guitar Pickup work? Thx

[@justinpaquette224]

Thanks man, great video

[@gersh1642]

Hey man, i stumbled upon your channel. Really interested in your info. Very helpful, cheers Ger.

[@hertzaudiovisualspv]

can you try out 31awg?

[@Squintznw]

🤯

[@Earthstein]

"Best", ? . wtf is that?

[@patrickpalmer3374]

What are you talking about.